Thermoelectric composite material useful in thermoelectric generators comprises a metal oxide material; and graphene or modified graphene dispersed throughout the metal oxide material

NOVELTY - A thermoelectric composite material (M1) comprises a metal oxide material; and (modified)graphene dispersed throughout the metal oxide material. USE - The material is useful in thermoelectric generators, in power generation to convert waste heat into electrical power in automotive applications to space exploration and satellite technology; in thermoelectric cooling devices such as refrigerator. ADVANTAGE - The material has lower density than prior art materials; is able to generate relatively more electrical power compared to their mass than conventional thermoelectric material do; less-toxic than prior art material; having a lower absolute ZT value, a broader range of operating temperatures and wider range of technical applications. Also they able to provide a more reliable source of electrical power despite fluctuations in the thermal environment; exhibit good levels of thermal power output. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:(1) a thermoelectric device comprising at least two thermoelectric units in electrical contact with one another, where at least one thermoelectric unit is a p-type unit and at least one thermoelectric unit is a n-type unit, and at least one thermoelectric unit comprises metal oxide material and (modified)graphene; and(2) making the material (M1) involving combining the metal oxide material with the (modified)graphene.